Minnesota's Defense Provides Potent Scoring Threat

EDEN PRARIE, Minn. — While the primary objective of the Bears' offense Sunday is to put the ball in the end zone, the secondary objective may be to keep Minnesota's defense out of it.

Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Tony Dungy, the opportunistic Vikings led the NFL in defensive touchdowns this year with seven. In 1992, they tied Kansas City for the league lead with eight defensive TDs, and now have 17 in their last 44 regular-season games.

"We've set the record, broke the record, set it, broke it . . ." said Minnesota strong safety Todd Scott. "We've been known to do that a lot. I think when we get it, we try to turn offensive and get back into the end zone."

"We play a lot of zone, and when we pick the ball off, there's usually not a lot of guys there to catch you," said rookie cornerback DeWayne Washington. "It's always the quarterback and maybe a lineman, and obviously those two guys probably won't get you."

Washington scored three of the Vikings' touchdowns, one on a fumble recovery and two on interception returns in the two victories over the Bears. He picked off Erik Kramer in the third quarter of the 42-14 Minnesota win in Soldier Field on Sept. 18 and ran it back 81 yards. He did likewise against Steve Walsh only 1 1/2 minutes into their Dec. 1 rematch at the Metrodome, returning it 54 yards for the opening TD.

"Just a coincidence," Washington said. "I was lucky to spark the whole team by helping us score early and take a little pressure off the offense."

The three defensive TDs tied an NFL rookie record shared by Detroit's Lem Barney in 1967 and San Francisco's Ronnie Lott in '81. Washington, a first-round draft pick out of North Carolina State, is one of three rookie starters on the Vikings and a cinch to make the NFL all-rookie team with his three interceptions and a team-high 12 passes defensed.

"He's played all year for us, and we think he's going to have some big plays in him," said Vikings coach Dennis Green. "He's the type of guy that doesn't back down, and guys like that you really need at this stage. The other thing is he's alert. When you make interceptions and pick up fumbles and run them in, it's a sign you're an alert football player."

The secondary of Scott, free safety Vencie Glenn (four interceptions), Washington and left cornerback Anthony Parker (four interceptions) is well-tested, since few teams dare to run against the Vikings vaunted front line.

Though Minnesota finished 21st in the league in passing yards allowed, part of the reason was that opponents combined for 633 pass attempts, the second-highest total in the NFL.

Bears fans are most familiar with Scott. His interception off a Jim Harbaugh audible on Oct. 14, 1992, resulted in a widely replayed touchdown return credited by some as the opening salvo in the downward slides of the careers of Harbaugh and former coach Mike Ditka.

"People have said that and I'll gladly take the credit for that, but I don't believe it," Scott said. "I don't think that had anything to do with Coach Ditka getting fired, or the way Jim Harbaugh's career has turned. You never know about those things.

"I'm glad I'm a household name in Chicago. But I had five other interceptions that year, so that was just one of many. That was a great interception-one I'll always cherish and enjoy. And hopefully I can get another one this coming Sunday."

Despite early jitters against the Vikings secondary in their last meeting, Walsh settled down to complete 24 of 33 passes for 233 yards. Walsh has endured much criticism recently concerning his lack of arm strength, but the Vikings' defensive backs don't buy it.

"The No. 1 quarterback, as far as ratings, is Steve Young," said Scott. "Everyone knows the Niners' game isn't upfield. It's quick-rhythm passing. So it's not about how far you can throw it. It's about how effective you are. And (Walsh has) been very effective this season. He's having a great year."